Chinese medicine massage (Tui na) is a unique form of body massage that is sometimes called “pinch and pull.” It’s used by many Chinese medicine practitioners to balance the “yin and yang” in a patient. One of the techniques used in Tui na is “acupressure” – the use of finger pressure rather than Chinese acupuncture needles to stimulate acupuncture points.
In addition to acupressure, a Chinese medicine practitioner may rub, brush, roll and knead the areas between the patient’s skin and muscles to get the vital energy (qi or ch’i)* moving. Tui na is used primarily to provide relief from musculoskeletal pain, and intensity can vary.